Rating: 
Summary: Powerful Emotion and Nail Biting Suspense All in One
Review: It should have been a happy day in Ballyknockanor. Joseph Burke and Kate Donovan were finally getting married. But the rejoicing turned to sorrow when the groom was arrested at the reception for his part in the recent Irish repeal movement. Unknown to Joseph and Kate, this is part of a larger scheme by neighbor Colonel Mahon in an attempt to take over their lands. As he plots and schemes, Kate finds herself in danger. Joseph becomes a further victim of the plot. Will last minute attempts to stop his punishment be successful? Will he and Kate ever be reunited? Can she survive Mahon's plans for her?The first part of this book was so hard for me to get through, I thought about quitting. I just wasn't sure that I could deal with any more of the character's sadness. But just before I quit, the pace of the story really picked up and I got drawn into these character's lives once again. There are so many fascinating plots levied against them, I had a hard time putting the book down until I reached the satisfying ending. As always, the Thoene's back up their story with wonderful historical research that makes this time period come vividly to life. With the way this book ended, you can bet it won't be too long before I'm back for the final chapter in these characters's saga. And I'm sure I'll enjoy it just as much as I did this chapter. Well worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: Ashes of Remberance
Review: Looking for adventure? In "Ashes of Remembrance", Bodie and Brock Thoene's story about the lives of Joseph Connor Burke and Kate Donovan take a turn towards adventure. The book starts out with joy, as the long awaited romance between Joseph and Kate culminates into a wedding. But shouts of joy soon turn into tears of sorrow. Immediately after the wedding, Jospeh is arrested and charged with treason. Meanwhile, Colonel Mahon has his eye on Burke's estate, and through his trickery Joseph is sentenced to transportation for life ... to Australia. And our favorite characters all return, including Mad Molly, whose prophetic babbling and busy-bodying again proves to be essential. Unlike the earlier two novels of "The Galway Chronicles" series, "Ashes of Remembrance" is less political and less theological. But what it lacks in spiritual depth, it makes up for in adventure and excitement. At sea, Joseph faces hardship, cruelty, the elements, and shipwreck. It is somewhat of a pleasant change of pace from the first two novels, and it's an adventure story well told. At home, Kate faces murderers and kidnappers who are willing to resort to any measures to get hold of Burke's land. The brutal suffering perpetrated in the religious struggles of the Irish is not absent, but functions more of a backdrop for the evil personal ambitions of Mahon. But whether at home with Kate or at sea with Joseph, the adventure is non-stop. The Thoenes are sensitive to the fact that real Christians do experience real suffering. They are not afraid to depict Christians being the victims of real tragedy and betrayal. In fact, this suffering is thematic in this novel. The title "Ashes of Remembrance" originates in the simple wisdom of the nurse Miss Susan, who explains to Kate how trials and sorrows play an important part in one's life, and make you stronger. "Back home they set fire to the canefield before they cut the cane. Burn away the leaves and rubbish so's they can press the cane to make sugar ... Life ain't nuthin' but a canefield. Sorrows burn away the trash. A person finds out what matters and what don't. What's left is the sweetness. Pressed out, boiled down, and purest crystal. One day, Miss Kate, you tastes the sugar and don't remember the ashes no more." (p.87-88) It's profound wisdom. By the end of the novel, we discover that all the sorrows are not yet over, and that we need to read book four to taste the sweetness. The sorrows of "Ashes of Remembrance" may eventually turn to sweetness for Kate and be forgotten, but for the rest of us, this is definitely a tale of adventure worth remembering.
Rating:
Summary: A tale of adventure at home and at sea.
Review: Looking for adventure? In "Ashes of Remembrance", Bodie and Brock Thoene's story about the lives of Joseph Connor Burke and Kate Donovan take a turn towards adventure. The book starts out with joy, as the long awaited romance between Joseph and Kate culminates into a wedding. But shouts of joy soon turn into tears of sorrow. Immediately after the wedding, Jospeh is arrested and charged with treason. Meanwhile, Colonel Mahon has his eye on Burke's estate, and through his trickery Joseph is sentenced to transportation for life ... to Australia. And our favorite characters all return, including Mad Molly, whose prophetic babbling and busy-bodying again proves to be essential. Unlike the earlier two novels of "The Galway Chronicles" series, "Ashes of Remembrance" is less political and less theological. But what it lacks in spiritual depth, it makes up for in adventure and excitement. At sea, Joseph faces hardship, cruelty, the elements, and shipwreck. It is somewhat of a pleasant change of pace from the first two novels, and it's an adventure story well told. At home, Kate faces murderers and kidnappers who are willing to resort to any measures to get hold of Burke's land. The brutal suffering perpetrated in the religious struggles of the Irish is not absent, but functions more of a backdrop for the evil personal ambitions of Mahon. But whether at home with Kate or at sea with Joseph, the adventure is non-stop. The Thoenes are sensitive to the fact that real Christians do experience real suffering. They are not afraid to depict Christians being the victims of real tragedy and betrayal. In fact, this suffering is thematic in this novel. The title "Ashes of Remembrance" originates in the simple wisdom of the nurse Miss Susan, who explains to Kate how trials and sorrows play an important part in one's life, and make you stronger. "Back home they set fire to the canefield before they cut the cane. Burn away the leaves and rubbish so's they can press the cane to make sugar ... Life ain't nuthin' but a canefield. Sorrows burn away the trash. A person finds out what matters and what don't. What's left is the sweetness. Pressed out, boiled down, and purest crystal. One day, Miss Kate, you tastes the sugar and don't remember the ashes no more." (p.87-88) It's profound wisdom. By the end of the novel, we discover that all the sorrows are not yet over, and that we need to read book four to taste the sweetness. The sorrows of "Ashes of Remembrance" may eventually turn to sweetness for Kate and be forgotten, but for the rest of us, this is definitely a tale of adventure worth remembering.
Rating:
Summary: Heartwrenching and Victorous
Review: Most novels don't portray real life situations, and often there is this feeling that everything is going to turn out all right. This novel takes you through a real life experiance, which if you treat like real life and avoid skipping to the end, takes you through an immensely difficult time in history, where the only thing that will keep you going is your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to see you through the trials. Since real life is unpredictable and at times completely unstable, Thoene does a fantastic job of portraying some of the harsh realities, struggles and responses to those realities that make the characters able to keep going even when all looks hopeless. Despite the struggles or perhaps because of them, there is victory possible! Despite the differences in that time and ours, Thoene's characters reach across the gap of history and pull the reader into their lives. It's another masterful piece of writing!
Rating:
Summary: Heartwrenching and Victorous
Review: Most novels don't portray real life situations, and often there is this feeling that everything is going to turn out all right. This novel takes you through a real life experiance, which if you treat like real life and avoid skipping to the end, takes you through an immensely difficult time in history, where the only thing that will keep you going is your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to see you through the trials. Since real life is unpredictable and at times completely unstable, Thoene does a fantastic job of portraying some of the harsh realities, struggles and responses to those realities that make the characters able to keep going even when all looks hopeless. Despite the struggles or perhaps because of them, there is victory possible! Despite the differences in that time and ours, Thoene's characters reach across the gap of history and pull the reader into their lives. It's another masterful piece of writing!
Rating:
Summary: Compelling!!!!!
Review: The continuing saga of the Joseph Connor Burke family continues on his wedding day to his love Kate Donovan. What ensues is tragic, as Lord Burke is arrested for treason shortly after saying his vows.
After he is tried and found guilty he is banished to Australia. He boards a hideous prison ship The Hive. Ironically he has been pardoned of all charges but the news is unable to reach him in time.
Kate steps into her new role as Lady Burke and yearns for news about her beloved Joseph.
I was unable to put this book down. The characters feel like real people and not just characters in a book. It is easy to share in their joys and hardships.
I suggest having the sequel "All Rivers to the Sea" on hand so you can continue this compelling story.
Rating:
Summary: Great Series!
Review: This is book number 3 of the Galway Chronicles Series. I did not realize this book was part of a series and read it out of order. However, I went back and read the first two books and the last. I could not put them down. The history that is a backdrop for the novels is fascinating and gives one an understanding of the animosity between the English and the Irish. The characters are so real and the story keeps you on the edge wondering what will happen next. I loved all four of the books.
Rating:
Summary: Great Series!
Review: This is book number 3 of the Galway Chronicles Series. I did not realize this book was part of a series and read it out of order. However, I went back and read the first two books and the last. I could not put them down. The history that is a backdrop for the novels is fascinating and gives one an understanding of the animosity between the English and the Irish. The characters are so real and the story keeps you on the edge wondering what will happen next. I loved all four of the books.
Rating:
Summary: Ashes of Remberance
Review: This is not only a short review but a request for information. I am in total agreement with the previous reviews I just read giving this series 5 stars. My question is: Is there a book four? If not, I sincerely hope it is in the author's computer awaiting completion soon! Since finishing this book it was left completely open for the sequal which I will continue to look for. Keep up the wonderful writing. and let us know when we can obtain the next in the Galway Chronicles.
Thanks
Rating:
Summary: Another Great Book in The Series
Review: This novel was a solid follow up to Only the River Runs Free and Of Men and Angels. This series is great if you like anything about Irish history. The Thoenes paint a vibrant picture of the Irish culture in the mid 1800's. You can identify with the characters and get emotionally attached. If you liked the other two books you will definately approve of this one. It has all the same great qualities of the two before it. I hoope that it is not the last! The books are GREAT, read them!
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